Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 8

Hazael’s great cruelty

2 Kings 8:10-12

To understand Elisha’s conversation with Hazael, we need first to understand Hazael’s character.

Hazael was an important official who seemed to be completely loyal to Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram. Ben-Hadad trusted him even when his own life depended on it. Also, Hazael seemed to respect Elisha, the prophet (holy man) from Israel, deeply.

However, God showed to Elisha the truth about Hazael. Here was a cruel and wicked man, who would not hesitate to plot the murder of Ben-Hadad. That terrible act was only the beginning of Hazael’s cruel acts.

Hazael would make Aram stronger by his wars against Israel (10:32-33). In those wars, Hazael would order his soldiers to carry out the most cruel and evil behaviour against Israel’s people. Hazael himself would pretend to Elisha that such acts disgusted him (8:12-13).

So, in the conversation, Elisha first told Hazael about the lie that Hazael would speak to Ben-Hadad. Hazael would use Elisha’s own words in order to pretend that Ben-Hadad would recover. At that same time, Hazael would be arranging for Ben-Hadad to die.

Elisha then stared at Hazael. Elisha was showing that Hazael would be responsible for Ben-Hadad’s death. Then Elisha began to cry. He was crying because he was deeply sad. This was not about Ben-Hadad, but because of the way that Hazael would make Israel’s people suffer. God had shown him both Hazael’s plot against Ben-Hadad, and Hazael’s great cruelty.

Next part: Why did God allow Israel's enemies to be so powerful? (2 Kings 8:13)

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